The Toll by Neal Shusterman

SYNOPSIS

In the highly anticipated finale to the New York Times bestselling trilogy, dictators, prophets, and tensions rise. In a world that’s conquered death, will humanity finally be torn asunder by the immortal beings it created?

Citra and Rowan have disappeared. Endura is gone. It seems like nothing stands between Scythe Goddard and absolute dominion over the world scythedom. With the silence of the Thunderhead and the reverberations of the Great Resonance still shaking the earth to its core, the question remains: Is there anyone left who can stop him?

The answer lies in the Tone, the Toll, and the Thunder.

Synopsis from Indigo 

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PERSONAL REVIEW

Wow, this series has gone in so many directions, most that I never expected when I first picked up Scythe. I thought this series would be an interesting look at what happens when people relying too much on an AI device, or maybe how power corrupts. Instead, the Thunderhead continues to be one of the best characters in the series! This was a very satisfying ending to the trilogy. 

Excellent Multiple Storylines 
So much happens in this book! Shusterman does an excellent job of tying together the many different characters and storylines he's slowly been adding to this world over the last two books. I didn't totally understand why Greyson and the Tonists were added into the plot in the last book, but that storyline really comes to fruition by the end of The Toll. New characters were also added in this book, and they were well thought out enough that I actually cared about what happened to them, which is surprising since we only know them in this novel. Well played, Shusterman, well played. 

Love Citra & Rowan (No Surprise There!)
I was so excited to see these two again, but of course they were separated right away! (Why, cruel world?!) However, Rowan continues to be one of my favourite characters as he continues to both be true to Citra, but also to his own ideals. While Citra was a bit frustrating at times (it felt like she literally forgot about him for a while!), when they finally find each other again, it makes me so happy! I do wish we had more time seeing them together since so much of their relationship seems to have them spending their time apart. However, ultimately their ending made me incredibly happy for them both. 

Unexpected Ending
​I really had no idea where this story was going! After the the end of Thunderhead, I really thought we were going to see the Thunderhead turn evil or become a dictator, etc. Instead, it continues to be the kind, omnipotent AI being who only wants the best for humanity. So what's the end goal? I loved how Shusterman built this story to this ultimate (and completely surprising) ending. It was a nice send-off (*wink*) to these characters and this world! 

​Overall, this was a great ending to the series. The Toll definitely felt like a stronger novel than Thunderhead and I loved where all the storylines (and characters) lead us. I'd recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed the previous novels, is a fan of Neal Shusterman, or is interested in a dystopian novel with AI's that aren't evil! What did you think of The Toll​?

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FINAL RATING: 4.5/5